Joshua 1:1-9
1 After the death of Moses the servant of the LORD, the LORD said to Joshua son of Nun, Moses’ aide: 2 “Moses my servant is dead. Now then, you and all these people, get ready to cross the Jordan River into the land I am about to give to them-to the Israelites. 3 I will give you every place where you set your foot, as I promised Moses. 4 Your territory will extend from the desert to Lebanon, and from the great river, the Euphrates-all the Hittite country-to the Great Sea on the west. 5 No one will be able to stand up against you all the days of your life. As I was with Moses, so I will be with you; I will never leave you nor forsake you.
6 “Be strong and courageous, because you will lead these people to inherit the land I swore to their forefathers to give them. 7 Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the law my servant Moses gave you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, that you may be successful wherever you go. 8 Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful. 9 Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.”
Related Text:
Deuteronomy 11:22-25
Psalm 1
Psalm 19
Psalm 119
1 Corinthians 16:13-14
Hebrews 3:1-6
-
Courageous
It’s an easy choice to be a coward and hide your feelings and beliefs and just go along with the crowd. But being courageous is tough. Courageous people stand their ground and accept comments directed at them, they don’t run. They are willing to say “no” when everyone else is saying “yes”, they are willing to make decisions based on what they believe, not what they are pressured into.
Courageous people aren’t afraid of the jeers, laughter, or put-downs that they might receive for acting on their beliefs. Being courageous doesn’t mean that you enjoy the attacks, but rather, you aren’t afraid of them. It doesn’t mean that you go looking to cause trouble or ruffle feathers, or nit-pick your friends, neighbors, or co-workers actions. But at some point, a courageous person won’t let the status-quo take over their life. They will stop going through the motions.
Being a follower of Jesus takes courage. It took courage in the days and years that followed His death and resurrection, and it takes courage today. If being courageous doesn’t describe you, then evaluate your life today, as you go through your routine, and see if there are places where you can stand up for your faith and not slip back and hide in the shadows.
